Volturno offers classic Naples pizza

Gregory Califano Jr. of Shrewsbury and his father, Greg Califano of Worcester, opened Volturno, 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, last month.

There had been plenty of buzz during the construction of the restaurant located in the building that housed the former Edward Buick GMC showroom.

The doors are open, so here’s the dish:

Volturno’s specialty is Neapolitan pizza made the “classic Naples way,” according to owner Gregory Califano, who went to Italy to train in the wood-fired oven method of cooking pizza. He and his father imported two Neapolitan wood pizza ovens that are in full view in the restaurant’s dining area.

Note: This isn’t the American-style pizza that most diners have come to know.

Volturno reportedly is the first restaurant in Massachusetts to be certified by the Association of Neapolitan Pizza Makers.

Neil Rogers of Bolton is the executive chef who delivers farm-to-table cuisine at Volturno. He grew up in Shrewsbury, attended Worcester State College, and started out in the kitchen at the Struck Café in Worcester.

Rogers also was the sous chef at Romaine’s in Northboro when Richard and Erin Romaine first opened their restaurant.

The chef later worked in two restaurants owned by the Max Group in Connecticut, beginning as a chef de cuisine and then executive chef.

His most recent job was executive chef at Tomasso Trattoria in Southboro.

The family-owned and operated Applewood Farm in Stow and Verrill Farm in Concord are among his purveyors.

There are daily specials at Volturno, and one of the chef’s specialties is handmade ravioli.

Little Bites, bruschetta, pasta, salads and entrees, such as hanger steak, half chicken, cod and pork, are on the menu.

There are 12 pizzas, ranging in price from $9 to $16.

The restaurant has a “Volturno Glossary of Terms,” which helps diners with food definitions.

Sandwiches recently were added to the lunch menu, according to Gregory Califano. Sandwiches can be ordered throughout the day, but not for dinner, he said. Pizza is available all day.

The restaurant with its open layout accommodates about 128. A large horseshoe-shaped bar in the center is surrounded by seating for both small and large groups. There also are high-top tables and a communal table for diners who don’t mind being seated with strangers.

The outdoor patio (seats 20) will open in a couple of weeks, according to Gregory Califano.

Hours: Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily; dinner, 5 to 10 p.m. daily; late night pizza is available. Visit www.volturnopizza.com or call (508) 756-8658. No reservations. The restaurant’s parking lot is next to the building.

Partners in Volturno, both father and son are actively involved in the day-to-day business of the restaurant. It’s easy to spot them in the dining room, working the crowd.

Gregory Califano Jr. and Rogers will represent Volturno at Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Worcester County scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. April 22 at The Manor Restaurant & Banquet Facility in West Boylston. The fundraiser benefits Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury and Rachel’s Table. Visit www.strength.org/worcester for tickets.

Check out Volturno’s table!

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Restaurants in Sturbridge, Charlton, Southbridge, Spencer and West Brookfield will celebrate Restaurant Week 2013 April 23-28.

Local restaurants participating in the event will offer a three-course menu for a fixed price of $12.13 per person for lunch; $20.13 for dinner.

The event is organized by The Chamber of Central Mass South and sponsored by the Sturbridge Tourist Association.

Special restaurant menus can be viewed at http://cmschamber.ning.com/page/restaurant-week.

Put a new restaurant on your dine-out list.

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Ooops!

In last week’s column, Piccolo’s Restaurant, 157 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, was omitted from participants in the story about Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation event on April 22 at The Manor Restaurant & Banquet Facility in West Boylston.

National Grilled Cheese Day was April 12. But, it’s still not too late to celebrate the gooey, crispy, buttery comfort food.

The Chef MJ Brando product line is offering consumers free grilled cheese sandwiches through April 30.

Log onto www.facebook.com/ChefMJBrando to learn about the company’s free rebate.

The Chef MJ Brando Grilled Cheese line can be found in the frozen food section of Market Basket stores, including the Fitchburg, Leominster and Oxford locations.

Two sandwiches come in each box, and cheese options are American, Cheddar and Swiss. Pop in the microwave for 1.5 minutes, and you have a grilled cheese with home-style flavor. Suggested retail: $3.99.

If you have a tidbit for this column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.